MOUNT OJOS DEL SALADOS
Chile
Chile
Join the Adventure Dynamics Volcano Hunters Programme. We offer the highest volcano climb in the world.
Situated in Chile in the Atacama Desert, this area is well known to adventurers. East of Copiapó, it has the highest concentration of six thousand meter peaks on earth. Amid all these giant volcanoes and mountains on the border of Argentina and Chile is the world’s highest volcano, Ojos del Salados, 6893m.
This expedition will take you to the heart of the Atacama Desert, the driest desert on earth. From Copiapó we start driving towards the Chilean Altiplano, a remote region that only few people ever visit. The drive takes us through salt flats, and we camp next to pristine mountain lakes and do a few easy climbs and swims before reaching the base camp of Ojos Del Salados. This will help with our acclimatisation process. Finally, we will approach the majestic massif of Ojos del Salado. We will spend a few days on the mountain in order to acclimatise and prepare everything for the climb to the summit.
If you are looking for a world record breaking physical challenge, combined with a journey through some of the planet’s most spectacular landscapes, then join Adventure Dynamics on this memorable mountaineering expedition.
This peak is the highest volcano in South America and one of the second seven highest peaks in the world!
– Climb the highest volcano in the world.
– Explore the beautiful Atacama Desert and enjoy the spectacular landscapes of the Andean High Plateau.
– Drive through the Maricunga salt flats. Camp next to the turquoise waters of Laguna Santa Rosa and Laguna Verde.
Includes:
Meals stated, bungalow sharing accommodation in Copiapo, mountain permit. Airport transfers in Chile. Airport tax at all airports. All transportation. All tents, cooks and communal gear. High altitude guides. A training programme will be sent to you. VHF radios, First aid kits and satellite phone (at a cost per minute)
Excludes:
International and Domestic flights. Visas, yellow fever for Sao Paulo. Compulsory travel insurances (accident & repatriation) and other insurances of any kind (e.g. medical, trip cancellation – strongly recommended). Personal equipment, tips (US$.200), soft drinks, bottled water or alcoholic beverages. Items of personal nature, health requirements, hospitalisation and evacuation if required. Single rooms. Any additional expenses. Fees for changes to flights and excess baggage payments. Delay expenses outside itinerary. Restaurant meals in towns. City Tours. Extra costs for early departure. Taxis in the cities. 2 bungalow nights total per person sharing.
Day 1 – Flight Santiago – Copiapó – Bahia Inglesa
Be met at Copiapó airport by the support crew and staff. Overnight in bungalows on the coast in Copiapó. Lunch and dinner (own account) is done at the little restaurants on the coast. 15 minute drive from the airport.
Day 2 – Copiapó – Pedernales Salt Flat (3,400m)
We start driving east towards the Altipiano, passing by El Salvador mining town, located at 2300m, where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we keep driving towards the mountains and by 5pm we reach Pedernales salt flat, where we set up our camp in the nearest of and ancient mining camp. We are now in the middle of the Chilean high plateau, the southernmost part of the Atacama Desert and home to a great diversity of wildlife such as flamingos and foxes. In the evening, we take a short walk to the nearby lagoon where we see local flora and fauna and a large variety of birds.
Day 3 – Salar De Pedernales – Summit Doňa Inės (5,095m) – Salar De Pedernales
From Salar de Pedernales we drive 1, 5 hours heading Doňa Inės. We arrive to the climb departure point, at 4,400m and from there the ascent will take 3 – 4 hours to summit. We need 2 hours to come back to the car.
Important Note:
Depending on how the team is feeling it would be possible to do just a hike at 4,500m instead of climbing the summit, but it would be recommended to try the summit in order to improve the acclimatisation process. There is not much risk of altitude problems since the group will go back to sleep to 3,400m.
Day 4 – Salar De – Laguna Verde (4,328m)
A three hours’ drive through an incredible landscape leads us to Laguna Verde (4,328m), at the foothill of Cerro Mulas Mueritas and surrounded by 6000 meter peaks. There we set up our second camp.
Day 5 – Laguna Verde (4,328m)
Laguna Verde is a big salt lake, surrounded by the desert and high mountains and we set up camp near the lake. We have a rest day here at 4,328m and whoever is motivated can go for an easy walk around the lake or take a thermal bath in the hot springs. Opportunity for a swim in Laguna Verde.
Day 6 – Laguna Verde – San Francisco Summit (6,018m) – Laguna Verde
One hour transfer by 4 x 4 to the base of the volcano and full day climbing it to the top by the Chilean side. 6 – 7 hours to the summit and 3 hours back to the vehicles.
Important Note:
The members will be able to decide to rest in Laguna Verde or just do and easy hike instead of engaging for the summit depending on how they feel at the moment. Most likely some will decide to summit this smaller peak and some will prefer to stay in the base camp, both alternatives are good since the time an individual needs to acclimatise to the high altitude is a personal feature and cannot be accelerated or disregarded.
Day 7 – Laguna Verde – Atacama Refuge (5,300m)
We leave Laguna Verde and head north. We gain altitude very quickly as we cross sand flats, steep rocks and sometimes snow covered slopes. We arrive at the Atacama refuge (5,300m) where we set up our base camp. The day is spent at rest, hydrating and relaxing.
Day 8 – Atacama Refuge (Base Camp) – Tejos Refuge (Camp1) (5,850m) – Atacama Refuge
Easy hike without loads to Tejos hut. This hike is part of our acclimatisation in order to maximise our chances of reaching the summit (6,893m).
Important Note:
In case the road to Tejos is not accessible to the vehicles because of the snow the members will have to carry food and equipment to Tejos.
Day 9 – Atacama Refuge – Tejos Refuge (Camp1) 6,000m)
Today we move up to Camp 1. It is a short day we arrive early to get hydrated, eat and rest for the summit day.
Important Note:
In case the road to Tejos is not accessible to the vehicle because of the snow the members will have to carry food and equipment to Tejos.
Day 10 – Tejos Refuge – Ojos Summit (6,893m) Tejos Refuge
The departure time depends on the temperature and cannot be fixed in advance, the group will decided with support of guides at what time to start today, according to the temperatures and winds of the day. Generally a departure at 4am would be ok when attempting the summit. Return to Tejos or to Base Camp for the night.
Day 11 – Reserve Day
Can be used as an extra acclimatisation day if needed or rest day or just reserve day in case of bad weather.
Day 12 – Refugio Tejos – Refugio Atacama – Copiapó
We dismantle base camp, organise the gear, pack the equipment and load the cars. Then we drive back to Copiapó, 6 hours.
Day 13 – Copiapó – Santiago
Transfer to Copiapó airport and end of our services. Connection with international flight.
* Itinerary subject to change at any time due to weather.